Treating periodontitis in your sleep

Periodontitis is a severe form of gum disease that occurs when gum inflammation spreads to the anatomical structures that hold the teeth in place. Initially, plaque and bacterial plaque build up between the teeth and gums and then spread to the bones beneath the teeth. Treating periodontitis as soon as possible is best to avoid potential risks.

This can cause swollen and bleeding gums, difficulty breathing, and loose teeth. To assess the severity of the periodontitis, the dentist will take X-rays of the teeth and measure the depth of the periodontal pocket.

This condition often requires frequent cleanings at the dentist’s office, and sometimes, if the condition of the teeth and gums worsens, the dentist may recommend periodontal surgery and prescribe antibiotics. Periodontitis can affect people of all ages, including young children. At the same time, some patients may have severe cases of gingivitis that may persist for years without developing periodontitis.

Diagnosing Periodontitis

To find out if you have periodontitis and how severe the infection is, you can assess the depth of the infection and damage to your teeth and gums in the following ways:

Review your medical history for factors that could contribute to your gum infection symptoms, such as smoking or taking certain medications that cause dry mouth.

Check your mouth for plaque and tartar buildup, and bleeding.

Measure the depth of the infection by inserting a dental probe next to the tooth below the gum line, measuring the depth of the infection by the shallow depression between the gum and tooth. In a healthy mouth, the depth of periodontitis is usually 1 to 3 millimeters. Infections deeper than 4 millimeters may indicate periodontitis. Areas of infection deeper than 5 millimeters are not cleaned well.

Examine your teeth with an X-ray so that your dentist can see the amount of bone loss in different parts of your mouth and gums that is contributing to the depth of the disease.

Your dentist can determine the stage of your disease and the degree of periodontitis based on the severity of your disease, how difficult it is to treat, your risk factors, and your health.

Periodontitis Treatment

Treatment may be performed by a periodontist, dentist, or periodontologist. The goal of periodontitis treatment is to thoroughly clean the infection around your teeth and prevent damage to the bone around your gums. You have the best chance of successful treatment when you follow a daily oral care routine, manage any health conditions that may affect your teeth, and stop smoking.

Nonsurgical Periodontal Treatment

If your periodontitis has not progressed, treatment may include less-risk procedures, including:

Scaling removes plaque and bacteria from the surface of your teeth and under your gums. Your condition can be treated using tools such as lasers or other devices.

Removing hard dental plaque reduces bacterial buildup and removes bacterial byproducts that contribute to inflammation, speeding up the healing or reattachment of the gums to the tooth surfaces. Oral antibiotics can help reduce bacterial infection.

Causes of Periodontitis

Topical antibiotics may include antibiotic mouthwashes or antibiotic gels applied to the space between the teeth and gums, or for deep infections. However, oral antibiotics may also be necessary to eliminate the bacteria causing the infection.

Surgical Treatment of Periodontitis

If you have periodontitis, surgery may be the right treatment for you, which can be done through the following:

Flap Surgery (Sinus Surgery): Your periodontist will make small incisions in your gums to remove infected gum tissue and expose the roots of your teeth, which will help to expose and access your teeth better.

Since periodontitis causes bone loss, the underlying bone may be removed before the gum tissue can return to its original position. Once healed, it will be easier to clean these areas and keep your gums healthy.

Soft Tissue Graft: When you lose some of your gum tissue, your gum line recedes. You need to strengthen some of the damaged soft tissue to restore it to its original shape. This is usually done by removing a small piece of tissue from the roof of your mouth, or using tissue from an outside donor and grafting it to the damaged area. This helps reduce gum recession, covers the exposed roots of your teeth, and improves their appearance.

Orthopedic implants: This medical procedure is used when periodontitis has damaged the bones around the roots of your teeth. The implants are made from small pieces of your bone, or they can be artificially made or from another donor. Orthopedic implants prevent tooth loss by holding the bone in place. They also help the original bone grow back.

Guided tissue regeneration helps regrow bone that has been destroyed by bacteria. In a procedure, your dentist in Mississauga places a special piece of biocompatible tissue between the pre-existing bone and the teeth. This tissue prevents any unwanted tissue from entering the area during healing and allows existing bone to regrow.